Pete Hegseth went on the offense in Congress and in the media Wednesday, trying to salvage a nomination to lead the Pentagon that has been pushed to the precipice by allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking.

Donald Trump is in danger of losing another one of his provocative Cabinet picks in a further blow to his bid to shake up Washington in his second term.

The Trump transition team was growing concerned about Hegseth’s path to confirmation and was actively looking at potential replacements, a person familiar with the matter said.